GOWANDA, NY — The science wing at Gowanda High School recently transformed into a hub of high-stakes ecological strategy as students concluded the 2026 March Mammal Madness tournament. Led by Biology teachers Margaret King and Jacquelyn Shields, this annual tradition challenges students to use the “Four Cs”—Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking—to predict the outcomes of simulated animal encounters based on real-world scientific data.
This year’s tournament reached a thrilling conclusion as the Humpback Whale was crowned the overall champion. Students spent the month of March researching animal adaptations, habitat advantages, and biological traits to build their brackets, turning complex biological concepts into a spirited building-wide competition.
Top honors were awarded to student Chenyu Zhou, who correctly predicted the Humpback Whale’s victory, and Riley Neu, who secured the highest points in her class sections. While the winners were a bit camera-shy—with Riley even enlisting a “Grumpy Cat” plush as a stand-in for her celebratory photo—their scientific insights were front and center.
The Gowanda Central School District remains committed to providing “The Gowanda Experience” through authentic, hands-on learning opportunities that prepare students for future success in and out of the lab.